Improvement in file-guards



M. P. AYERS. Tile-Guard.

"No. 205,519. Patented July 2, 187 8.

WiLn'e s s s QI'WWZZM iiig N. PETERS, PMoTQ-LITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON, n. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

MARY P. AYERS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FILE-GUARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 205,519, dated July 2, 1878; application filed May 28, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARY P. AYERS, of the city and county of San Francisco, and State of California, have invented a File Guard and Protector; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improved file guard or protector; and consists in forming in two halves, connected together by a hinge, a protector consisting; of a handle and forked ends, in which the file is held. A groove is cut on the inner sides of the two halves just the shape of the file, and when the two halves are closed together and fastened by a suitable catch the file is held firmly. The sides of the forks extend slightly above the file, so that in mints, where coins are filed for adjustment by the operator holding the coin in the finger and rubbing the edge on the file, the fingers will touch on the sides of the forks and not be abraded. This implement is more particularly intended where pointed articles are to be filed off.

Figure l is a perspective view of my fileguard. Fig. 2 is a view of it opened. 7

A represents the handle of my improved fileprotector, and B the forks or guards. The implement is formed in two sections, which are united at the end of the handle by a hinge, C, so that the two halves may be opened for the insertion of the file D.

The inner portion of each of these sections has a groove, E, formed on the edge of the forks or guards B and back onto the handle, as shown, so that the file will rest in the grooved portion. Then, when the two halves are closed, the file is held in such a position that it cannot move in any direction, as the sides of the guards B around the groove keep it in place.

When the two sections are closed a loop or catch, F, is slipped over the outer meet ing ends of the guards B, securely locking the sections together and holding the file firmly in position.

Now, as the protector, when closed and holding the file, leaves a space between the two forks or guards on each side, the file may be used for filing without injuring the hands.

This file guard or protector is more particularly useful for files used in the manner that they are in mints. In such places it is customary to place a file on a table, and in adjusting the coins to uniform weights the adjuster, if the coin is too heavy, holds it in one hand and files a small portion off the edge by rubbing the coin on the file. He files a small portion off in this manner, weighs, and files again until the right weight is attained.

The files used are sharp and new, and in holding the coin between the fingers while working off the edges the ends of the forefinger and thumb are rubbed so frequently on the file as to be denuded of skin. By the use of the guard or protector herein described this difficulty is obviated, as the file rests in the groove on the inside of the forks. The edges of the forks projectin g up past the groove serve as guards for the ends of the fingers, preventing them from coming in contact with the file. Moreover, the upward-projecting edges prevent the coin from being slipped off the edge of the file and form a sort of guide for the coin.

When one side of the file becomes dulled, by turning the protector holding the file over the other side may be used; and old files may be easily replaced by new ones by slipping ofi the latch opening the two parts of the protector, removing the file and putting in anew one.

I thus provide a convenient and useful implement for the purpose described, and which can be made for any size of files. They can be made of any suitable material; but I prefer to make them of vulcanized rubber.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

The file-guard or protecting device consisting of the handle A with its projecting forks B, with their grooved edges fitted to inclose the edges of the file, and secured in place by means of the loop F or equivalent device, said guard beingremovable, substantially as shown, and for the purpose herein described.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal.

MARY P. AYERS. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

J. V. J 010E, R. G. SNEATH. 

